Acupuncture as an Additional Method of Rehabilitation Post-COVID-19: a randomized controlled trial

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of complex rehabilitation with and without acupuncture in a hospital setting. METHODS: A randomized clinical trial was performed at Rehabilitation center “Kamenskoe Plato” in Almaty, Kazakhstan. 160 patients with Post COVID-19 condition were randomly equally divided into an acupuncture with complex rehabilitation methods and a only complex rehabilitation methods group in the period from March 1, 2022 to July 1, 2022. Either groups was performed for an 10-14 days period. The outcome measures were the Bartel index, the Borg scale, Modified Dyspnea Scale and the 6-minute walking test. Adverse events also were monitored and documented. RESULTS: We found statistically significant improvement after the rehabilitation course with acupuncture in the all scales. And in the group without acupuncture, only on two scales MDS and Borg scale. CONCLUSION: Rehabilitation with acupuncture is possible and effective in patients recovering from post-COVID-19. Our findings may be useful to guide clinicians taking care of patients with post-COVID-19.